Personal trainer Sarah Lin says she is a true believer in healthy living, and she enjoys sharing it with others. Lin teaches group yoga classes Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Fitness Center in Clubhouse 1. She is available for individual training Monday through Friday afternoons between 1 and 5 p.m.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton, with an emphasis in Fitness and Health Promotion

Certifications

•CPR & AED

•First aid

•Certified yoga teacher

Background

•4 years of high school dance

•2 years of high school cheer

•5 years of yoga

•Fitness Center employee since June 2010

Q. What are the physical benefits of doing yoga?

A. The benefits are increased flexibility and strength. It helps reduce stress levels, and a lot of the twists are good for aiding digestion. Yoga also aids in getting a good night’s sleep.

Q. Are there any mental benefits?

A. Some of the postures are representative of letting go of the past or trying to calm oneself and have stillness in the mind. People will think about all the things they have to do after class, but I tell them to stay focused and stay in the present. It’s difficult for some people to do that, but with yoga and having that special cue, I think it helps them.

Q. What type of yoga do you teach?

A. A mixture of hotha and vinyasa yoga at all levels.

Q. Are there any age or physical limitations to practicing yoga?

A. Yoga can definitely be done at any age. As long as individuals are able to get up and down off the floor without assistance, they can do yoga.

Q. What do you tell people who say they aren’t flexible enough to do yoga?

A. I find yoga to be a way of movement and exercise for someone who might not particularly want to do the gym. Even if an individual is not flexible, they’ll see improvements throughout the class. I’ll start from a basic pose and then give them options to progressively make it more challenging.

Jennifer Karmarkar joined the Orange County Register in 2012 as a reporter for the weekly Laguna Woods Globe, where she has enjoyed delving into issues unique to the senior community. She is currently city editor for the Globe as well as Aliso Viejo News and Laguna Niguel News.